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Posts for category: Foot Conditions

Do your heels often feel sore or like acute pain is shooting through them? Is this worse in the morning, or maybe after a long walk or run? At Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Robert Cohen and Dr. Ushma Sheth investigate and treat heel pain, and when they see patients with these symptoms, they often find out that the condition at fault is plantar fasciitis. Read on to learn more!

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis involves stress on and inflammation of the broad ligament located on the arch of the foot. This plantar fascia connects the toes and heel bone, and when overused, it becomes sore, red, and inflamed.

Also, gait imbalance leads to heel pain. If a person turns his or her foot inward while walking, it overstretches the plantar fascia, causing pain. Some people refer to this problem as overpronation or flat feet.

Treating heel pain

In their Philadelphia and Paoli offices, Dr. Sheth and Dr. Cohen inspect the feet of patients who complain of heel pain. They may do X-rays or an MRI, looking for heel spurs or problems with the Achilles tendon which runs from the calf to the back of the heel. Gait analysis is a common diagnostic tool, too.

Whatever the underlying cause, your podiatrist will show you ways to counter the stresses placed on your feet and to reduce, or even eliminate, your discomfort. Surgery, including plantar fascia release and bone spur removal, is an option, but typically used only in the severest of cases which do not respond to treatment.

Your treatment plan may recommend the following:

Foot flexion and ankle roll exercises performed upon waking in the morning (also advised by the Arthritis Foundation)

Wearing well-constructed shoes and sneakers which have adequate arch support

Customized shoe inserts, such as heel cups

Analgesics such as acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or cortisone injections

Rest

Ice packs to the affected areas

Losing weight

In addition, Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers offer something called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, a non-surgical, in-office treatment that sends small sound waves into the tissues of the foot. This process breaks up scar tissue, boosts blood flow, and facilitates healing.

Sore heels?

Get back to normal with expert help from Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers. To schedule an appointment, please call one of our offices—for Philadelphia, phone (215) 545-0388, and for Paoli, dial (610) 647-0400.

Toenail fungus is when toenail, fingernail, or even skin under a nail, is infected. Dr. Robert Cohen and Dr. Ushma Sheth at Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers in Paoli, PA, and Philadelphia, PA, can help you deal with toenail fungus with laser treatment.

What is toenail fungus?

Fungi, yeasts, or molds may result in toenail infection. Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, so try taking the following precautions:

Avoid using public showers and pools, which are great places for fungi to thrive

Avoid using nail clippers used by someone who has a toenail fungus

Take better care of your nail injury, so fungus doesn't infect the toe

What is laser treatment?

You will need to see your Paoli and Philadelphia, PA, podiatrist if you need treatment, especially since toenail fungus is hard to treat and can reoccur. The recurrence and severity needs longer lasting and more intense treatment, such as laser technology.

Laser treatment is FDA-approved laser beams over the infected nail. The pigmentation present in the fungi absorbs the laser's light which creates heat that kills organisms in the toenail.

There aren't any studies that indicate negative side effects to laser treatment; it doesn’t harm soft, healthy tissue near the infected nail bed.

There are other treatment options, as mentioned above, which include anti-fungal oral treatments.

Fungal treatment shouldn't be difficult, especially if you have a reliable doctor. Also, the laser treatment isn't painful and takes approximately 45 minutes. The toenail takes 6 to 9 months to show results, and you'll be able to walk with ease.

What are some other toenail fungus treatments?

Untreated toenail fungus can spread and result in more severe issues. Be sure to look out for the darkened, yellow, or white toenail, thick or brittle nail, and nails split from the nail bed.

Depending on how bad the infection, there are at-home and prescribed treatments including: topical and oral anti-fungal treatments that can suppress infection and symptoms.

Do you need a consultation?

For more information or to schedule an appointment for laser treatment at Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers in Paoli, PA, call Dr. Cohen and Dr. Sheth at (610) 647-0400 or call their Philadelphia, PA, location at (215) 545-0388 today!

So, what's the big deal about a couple of thick, yellow toenails? Frankly, these symptoms of toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, are more than unsightly. They can cause bigger podiatric problems both for you and for your loved ones. At Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers in Philadelphia, your foot doctors, Dr. Robert Cohen, Dr. Ushma Sheth, and Dr. Ira Meyers, know how to prevent and treat this stubborn condition so you have healthy, attractive feet.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

Infected toenails usually are thick, yellowish to brown and often begin pulling away from the nail bed. This malady may spread to other toenails and even to the fingernails and other parts of the body if left untreated.

The American Academy of Dermatology states that people with weakened immune systems are very susceptible to onychomycosis. However, of the 10 million Americans who exhibit symptoms, most are in overall good health.

How to treat onychomycosis

If your symptoms persist, see your foot doctor in Philadelphia. He or she will examine your nails and feet and may prescribe an antifungal cream or oral medication. These interventions, along with changes in personal hygiene habits, can heal fungal toenails. However, the process takes time, and frequently, the problem comes back.

As such, Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers offer inventive laser toenail treatments. Using a Class IV, in-office laser light, your podiatrist will treat all ten of your toenails, symptomatic or not. The process requires more than one application; your podiatrist will determine how best and how frequently to treat your nails.

In most cases, the laser effectively kills the fungus organism at the cellular level and keeps it from returning. Painless and quick, laser toenail treatments have grown in popularity in recent years.

Refraining from sharing towels, shoes, and nail clippers with other people, even members of your family

The American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine suggests using anti-fungal foot powder in shoes and socks during the hot weather or whenever your feet may become very sweaty (such as before a gym workout).

Yellow nails?

Be done with this annoying and unhealthy problem. For expert help, contact your friends at Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers. There are two convenient locations. For the Philadelphia, PA, office, phone (215) 545-0388, and for the Paoli, PA, location, call (610) 647-0400.

You may be wondering if you have a bunion. A bunion is a large, bony bump on the side of your big toe. Bunions can be painful and make it very difficult to wear shoes comfortably. The bunion can rub against the inside of your shoe, causing irritation and pain. The good news is a bunion can be treated effectively.

Dr. Robert Cohen, Dr. Ushma Sheth and Dr. Ira Meyers at Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers want to share their knowledge about bunions and how to get relief from bunion pain. They have two convenient office locations in Philadelphia, and Paoli, Pennsylvania to help you and your feet.

Bunions occur mainly in women. In fact, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, over fifty percent of American women will suffer from a bunion. Women often wear shoes that are too narrow, or high heels which tend to push toes forward, causing friction and pressure on toes. Bad shoes aren’t the only reason bunions develop. Other causes include:

Genetics

Having flat feet

Foot trauma or an injury

Overpronating when you walk

Bone deformity in your foot

Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis

For small bunions, you can try a few simple home remedies like these:

Taping the area to support the bunion

Placing padding inside your shoes for added cushion

Changing to wider shoes with more room for your toes

Larger bunions need the help your podiatrist. They may recommend:

Custom-fit orthotics or footwear

Physical therapy exercises

Protective padding inside your shoes

Removing corns or calluses to eliminate friction

For bunions with significant bone involvement, surgery may be suggested to realign your foot and toe. We will discuss which option might be best for you.

Get some relief from your bunion pain by calling Dr. Robert Cohen, Dr. Ushma Sheth and Dr. Ira Meyers at Paoli and Center City FootCare Centers, with offices in Philadelphia, and Paoli, Pennsylvania. Call today!